The premiere of the dramatic play "Oleanna" at Ulm University was a success in front of a full lecture hall. Around one hundred spectators followed the power play between the university professor and the student, in which the power of interpretation between truth and lies slips away. Tickets for the remaining performances until the end of October are available from the Ulm Theatre University students can take advantage of the "theatre flat rate" and secure tickets free of charge.
The 1992 play by American author David Mamet has lost none of its topicality over 30 years later. Student Carol (Emma Lotta Wegner) feels out of place at University. Because she can't follow the scientific jargon and seminar content, she seeks help from her lecturer John (Markus Hottgenroth). In their conversations, the boundaries between teaching and student become blurred. He offers to tutor her and promises her an A if she meets with him. Carol feels pressurised and harassed by the older, superior man. The situation with John haunts her and her subconscious intensifies what has happened. Later, the tables are turned: Carol has accused John of sexual harassment and abuse of power. His professional and private future hangs by a thread.
In Tjana Thiessenhusen's production, Emma Lotta Wegner and Markus Hottgenroth impress with their intense acting in the authentic setting of Ulm University's lecture hall 2. With the theatre play "Oleanna" as the premiere of the 2025/26 season, a cooperation that has been planned for a long time is being realised. "We have been talking to the University about a collaboration for a long time. Now it has finally worked out, which makes me very happy. With our offer here on site, we also want to reach other people than we typically do in the theatre," said Artistic Director Kay Metzger at a small premiere celebration afterwards. University President Professor Michael Weber describes his experiences with the issues of power and accountability from the perspective of university management: "Abuse of power is a major issue in the academic landscape. We are building structures with contact persons to provide a safe space. The topic is topical and we are glad that Ulm Theatre is present at the university."
Visitors to the play also discuss the sovereignty of interpretation of what is shown. Two visitors are reminded of their own student days. "Back then, we didn't really think about it when the professor made a joke about women," says Juliane Körner and Jutta Flamm adds: "It's good that the MeToo debate has changed things." The fact that "Oleanna" divides the opinions of the audience, as the author intended, can also be felt at the premiere evening at Ulm University. "I can't understand the situation at all. Perhaps the young woman is simply not in the right place at university," says Albrecht Jakob. However, everyone in the audience was enthusiastic about the authentic atmosphere in the lecture hall. "It's good that the play is not being performed in a theatre, but at the University. It's very authentic to sit in the lecture theatre," says premiere guest Monika Waiblinger.
The other performance dates for "Oleanna" at Ulm University are 24 and 27 September and 2, 3, 8, 12, 17, 18, 24 and 25 October, all at 7:30 pm in H2 (Forum - University Ost - bus stop and entrance: University Süd). Tickets are available for 19 euros (concessions: 14 euros) at the theatre box office, at http://www.theater-ulm.de or by telephone on (0731) 161 4444.
In cooperation with the student council, students at Ulm University can take advantage of the "theatre flat rate" and thus obtain available tickets free of charge from seven days before the performance.
Further information on the play “Oleanna”
Text and media contact: Daniela Stang